Full-body exercise machine

ABSTRACT

An exercise machine which can be configured to perform a plurality of different exercises, and which can include a base, a vertical support column attached to the base, a cylinder and piston assembly adjustably attached to the vertical support column, and a horizontal weight beam carriage adjustably attached to both the vertical support column and the cylinder and piston assembly, which includes adjustable provisions for attaching weights and for manipulating the exercise apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Physical training is often a tedious, time-consuming, and dangerousordeal. Common gym equipment can be difficult to set up and difficult touse. Exercise machines are often extremely specialized, focusingentirely on only one type of exercise per machine, causing frustrationin users who wish to transition quickly from exercise to exercise, orwho wish to combine multiple exercises into one compound exercise.

Although these compound exercises can be performed using free weights,it is generally unsafe to do so without assistance. In addition, commonconfigurations of exercise machines and free weight systems rarely allowfor quick transition between, for example, strength training and aerobictraining, or vice versa.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of an exercise machine is disclosed. Theexercise machine can include a base which can have adjustable provisionsfor standing, a vertical support column which can be attached to thebase, a cylinder and piston assembly which can be adjustably connectedto the column, and a horizontal weight beam carriage which can beadjustably connected to both the column and the assembly. The carriagecan have adjustable provisions for attaching weights and formanipulating the exercise machine. The adjustable provisions andadjustable attachments can allow the exercise machine to be configuredto perform one or more different exercises

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. Thefollowing detailed description should be considered in conjunction withthe accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise machine.

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercisemachine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of an exercise machine.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for executing a compoundexercise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the followingdescription and related figures directed to specific embodiments of theinvention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternateembodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or thescope of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplaryembodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will beomitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example,instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are notlimiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood thatthe described embodiments are not necessarily to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms“embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do notrequire that all embodiments of the invention include the discussedfeature, advantage, or mode of operation.

Generally referring to FIGS. 1-4, an exercise machine 100 is disclosed.The exercise machine can allow for any desired combination offlexibility, strength, or stamina physical training through exercisessuch as isolation exercises or multiple compound joint exercises, asdesired.

The exercise machine 100 can allow a user to engage in any desired typeof physical training by providing any of a number of adjustment options,for example varying degrees of weight, height, angle of lift, bodyposition, handgrip position, or any other type of option, as desired. Inthis way, in exemplary embodiments the exercise machine 100 can providea multiple position, free-weight, full-body circuit training experiencewhich can include multiple compound joint and isolation exercises. Theseexercises can affect any desired muscle or group of muscles, for examplethe calves, upper legs, buttocks, core, lower back, chest, upper back,shoulders, forearms, biceps, triceps, or any other desired body part. Asdescribed below, exemplary embodiments of exercise machine 100 can beconfigured in such a way that all of these exercises and any others asdesired can be performed upon one exercise machine in a safe and timelymanner.

The exercise machine 100 can also be configured in such a way that nohuman assistance is required for a user to execute any of the exercises.In some exemplary embodiments, the weight load of the machine can bestabilized and controlled solely by the user who is executing theexercise from start to finish. In this way, exercise machine 100 canprovide a safe and efficient full-body circuit-training exercise routineupon one machine.

If desired, exercise machine 100 can also be adapted to be positionednear and used with various cardio-vascular machines, allowing for astrength training and aerobic conditioning exercise session to beperformed in an efficient manner. In some exemplary embodiments, theexercise machine can be incorporated into a gymnasium setting andpositioned alongside cardio-vascular machines such as treadmills,elliptical machines, stationary bicycles, stair climbers, rowingmachines or any other cardiovascular or other device as desired,allowing a user the opportunity to engage in a cross-fit/full-bodytraining experience.

FIG. 1 shows a side view, and FIG. 2 shows an oblique view, of anexemplary embodiment of an exercise machine 100. Exercise machine 100can be a full-body circuit training platform which can allow a user toperform a variety of exercises, for example a lower body squat, anoverhead press, a calf raise, a dead lift, a biceps curl, a tricepsextension, an upright row, or any other exercise as desired.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, exercise machine 100 can include abase 102. Base 102 can include base rails 134, base plates 136 and lowersupporting beams 138. Base rails 134 can support an exercise platform128, which can include an opening which can be any desired shape, forexample a rectangle. Base 102 can also include foot risers 130, whichcan be adapted to cover the opening in platform 128. Base 102 caninclude any desired number of foot risers 130, and foot risers 130 canbe reversible, adjustable, or otherwise configurable to meet theparticular needs of a user in any situation. As an example, in someexemplary embodiments foot risers 130 can be flat on one side andaugmented with elevated attachments of varying height on the other side,and can be adjusted forward or backward along the opening in platform128 in any desired position. In this way, a combination of foot risers130 can be used in unison for a flat surface that is level with theremainder of the platform 128, or as desired any number them can beselected and positioned anywhere within the rectangular opening of theplatform 128 for elevated heel or toe exercise positions. As a result,the foot positioning requirements of a number of different exercises canbe accommodated, for example squats, calf raises or dead lifts.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, exercise machine 100 can also includea vertical weight support column 104, which can be supported by base102. Column 104 can be adapted to receive upper adjustable pivot clamp108 and lower adjustable pivot clamp 106. FIG. 3 shows a rear view of anexemplary embodiment of exercise machine 100, in which can be seen aplurality of positioning holes 302 by which upper adjustable pivot clamp108 and lower adjustable pivot clamp 106 can attached to column 104using any desired attachment, for example a spring-loaded pin.

Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, exercise machine 100 can also include ahorizontal support weight beam carriage 112, which can be attached tothe pivoting end of upper adjustable pivot clamp 108, and can thereby besecured to column 104. In some exemplary embodiments, horizontal supportweight beam carriage 112 can also have one or more positioning holes towhich a horizontal adjustable pivot clamp 110 can be attached.

The pivoting end of horizontal adjustable pivot clamp 110 can be linkedto one end of a cylinder and piston assembly 126. Assembly 126 can servea variety of functions. For example, in some exemplary embodiments,assembly 126 can act as a guide along a user's range of motion, canprovide support for the weight load when the machine is not in use, orcan provide ample ground clearance for the user if there is a failure tocomplete a full repetition of an exercise while the user is underneaththe weight load of the horizontal support weight beam 112. Assembly 126can provide support or assistance for the user, or assembly 126 can beconfigured in such a way that it does not assist or restrict the user'seccentric or concentric contractions during the execution of anexercise, as desired.

The other end of assembly 126 can be attached to a pivoting end of loweradjustable pivot clamp 106. In this way, the combined positioning oflower adjustable pivot clamp 106, upper adjustable pivot clamp 108, andhorizontal adjustable pivot clamp 110 can determine a number ofdifferent parameters of an exercise to be performed on exercise machine100. For example, the positioning of upper adjustable pivot clamp 108and lower adjustable pivot clamp 106 on the vertical weight supportcolumn 104 can be used determine the height at which the user canexecute an exercise. As another example, the position of horizontaladjustable pivot clamp 110 on horizontal support weight beam carriage112 can be used to determine the angle at which the user can execute anexercise.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, horizontal support weight beamcarriage 112 can also include side rails 116. Side rails 116 canestablish the length of the area in which the user can perform exercisesusing the exercise machine 100. Side rails 116 can contribute to thestability of exercise machine 100, and can also serve as attachmentpoints for any combination of weights or user interaction devices asdesired. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, side rails 116 caninclude provisions for attaching modified-angled front hand grips 118,barbell 120, underhanded hand grips 124, and rotating arc bar 122.

Horizontal support weight beam carriage 112 can also be supported by areinforcing support beam 114. Reinforcing support beam 114 can connectside rails 116, and can establish the width of the area in which theuser can perform any desired exercises on exercise machine 100.Reinforcing support beam 114 can also provide additional support to thehorizontal support weight beam carriage 112, and contribute to evenweight distribution throughout the entire exercise machine 100.

Horizontal support weight beam carriage 112 can include left and rightmodified-angled front hand grips 118. In some exemplary embodiments, themodified-angled front hand grips 118 can be located in a position thatcan provide a medium hand grip position, allowing a user to exercise,for example, the pectoral muscles.

Horizontal support weight beam carriage 112 can also include barbell120, which include a standard Olympic-style barbell and weight shafts.In some exemplary embodiments, barbell 120 can be positionedsubstantially in the middle of side rails 116, which can allow a user toassume the traditional front and behind-the-neck positions for squat andoverhead press. In these positions, exercise machine 100 can be used toexercise, for example, the muscles of the chest, back and shoulders. Infurther exemplary embodiments, barbell 120 can be sized to allow forvarying degrees of narrow, medium, or wide hand grip positions, allowinga user to attempt to vary the effect upon the muscles of the chest, backand shoulders when, for example, performing overhead pressesindividually, or in tandem with squats. Barbell 120 can also includeweight shafts at either end. In exemplary embodiments, these weightshafts can extend transversely and can be used to accommodate any typeof weight, for example multiple removable standard Olympic-stylefree-weight plates, as desired by the user.

Horizontal support weight beam carriage 112 can also include rotatingarc bar 122. Arc bar 122 can be a shortened standard Olympic stylebarbell which can be augmented by an additional metal bar in the shapeof an arc attached to the center portion of the shortened barbell. Arcbar 122 can be linked by its two ends to the two side rails 116, forexample by bushings on each side. In this way, arc bar 122 can rotate,allowing it to be repositioned as desired. In some exemplaryembodiments, arc bar 122 can locked into one or positions by aspring-loaded locking pin located, for example, on the bottom of theright side rail 116. In this way, arc bar 122 can be positioned so thatthe arc can be grasped in various positions, facilitating a variety ofexercises. For example, arc bar 122 can be locked into position with thearc parallel to the platform 128 and the opening of the arc facingtowards the vertical weight support column 104, which can facilitatealternate narrow hand grip overhead presses, executed individually or intandem with squats. As a thither example, arc bar 122 can be locked intoposition with the opening of the arc facing the user. When arc bar 122is in this position, a user can attach detachable polymer traininghandgrips 132 to arc bar 122, allowing the user to perform, for example,biceps curls and triceps extensions.

In the embodiments described above and in other exemplary embodiments,exercise machine 100 can be used to perform a wide variety of exercises.For example, a user can use exercise machine 100 as described above toperform isolation exercises, which can focus primarily on one muscle ormuscle group. In some embodiments, exercise machine 100 can be used toperform, for example, squats, both in front of and behind the neck, calfraises, dead lifts, modified overhead front chest presses, front barbelloverhead chest presses, behind the neck barbell overhead presses,underhand shoulder overhead presses, arc bar overhead chest presses, onehanded arc bar overhead presses, upright rows, biceps curls, tricepsextensions, and any other isolation exercise as desired.

Exercise machine 100 can also be used to perform combination or compoundexercises. Exercise machine 100 can provide a variety of the benefits ofcompound exercises. For example, when executing a compound exercise theuser's core muscles and forearms can be actively engaged during theexercise due to the need to maintain stability and control of the weightload being moved from the lower body to upper body exercise positions.FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a process by which a user canperform a compound exercise which includes a squat and an overheadpress. At step 402, the user can step upon the platform 128. At step404, the user can assume the eccentric position of a traditional squatexercise. At step 406, the user can grasp one of the available hand grippositions attached to the horizontal support weight beam carriage 112.At step 408, the user can execute a concentric contraction with thelower body into the concentric position of a traditional squat exercise.At step 410, the user can complete the execution of a compound jointexercise by executing a concentric contraction with the upper body intothe concentric position of a traditional overhead press.

A variety of compound exercises in addition to the one described abovecan be accomplished using exercise machine 100. Included in these are asquat/frontal chest/calf raise compound, a squat/modified overhead frontchest press/calf raise compound, a squat/underhand shoulder overheadpress/calf raise compound, a squat/arc bar overhead chest press/calfraise compound, a bent over row/bicep curl/calf raise compound, or anyother compound exercise as desired.

The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate theprinciples, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus, comprising: a base whichincludes adjustable provisions for standing; a vertical support columnwhich is attached to the base; a cylinder and piston assembly which isconnected by an adjustable attachment to the vertical support column;and a horizontal weight beam carriage which is connected by adjustableattachments to both the vertical support column and the cylinder andpiston assembly, and which includes adjustable provisions for attachingweights and for manipulating the exercise apparatus; wherein theadjustable provisions and adjustable attachments allow the exerciseapparatus to be configured to perform a plurality of differentexercises.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustableprovisions for standing include at least one foot riser with adjustableheight.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the height of the footriser can be adjusted to accommodate a user performing at least one ofsquats, calf raises, or dead lifts.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe adjustable attachments allow at least one of the cylinder and pistonassembly or the horizontal weight beam carriage to be adjusted forheight.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable attachmentsallow at least one of the cylinder and piston assembly or the horizontalweight beam carriage to be adjusted for angle.
 6. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the cylinder and piston assembly acts as a guide along auser's range of motion
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cylinderand piston assembly provides support for a weight load when theapparatus is not in use.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecylinder and piston assembly provides ground clearance for a user ifthere is a failure to complete a full repetition of an exercise whilethe user is underneath the horizontal weight beam carriage.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the adjustable provisions for attachingweights to the apparatus includes a barbell.
 10. The apparatus of claim9, wherein the barbell is an Olympic-style barbell.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the adjustable provisions for manipulating theapparatus include at least one of a modified-angled front hand grip, anunderhanded hand grip, a barbell, an arc bar, or detachable polymer handgrips
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the arc bar comprises ashortened standard Olympic style barbell which is augmented by anadditional metal bar in the shape of an arc attached to thesubstantially center portion of the shortened barbell.
 13. The apparatusof claim 12, wherein the arc bar can be adjustably positioned tofacilitate a plurality of different exercises.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of different exercises includes at leastone isolation exercise.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the atleast one isolation exercise is at least one of front squats, behind theneck squats, calf raises, dead lifts, modified overhead front chestpresses, front barbell overhead chest presses, behind the neck barbelloverhead presses, underhand shoulder overhead presses, arc bar overheadchest presses, one handed arc bar overhead presses, upright rows, bicepscurls, or triceps extensions.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theplurality of different exercises includes at least one compoundexercise.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the at least onecompound exercise is at least one of a squat/frontal chest/calf raisecompound, a squat/modified overhead front chest press/calf raisecompound, a squat/underhand shoulder overhead press/calf raise compound,a squat/arc bar overhead chest press/calf raise compound, or a bent overrow/bicep curl/calf raise compound.